East Coast Dispatches: March 29, 2023
Is this thing still on?
*Slaps dust off keyboard*
Looks like it’s been about four months since I updated this son of a bitch. I could give you a million reasons as to why that was, but they all boil down to me both being incredibly busy, while also trying to establish a better balance between work and…not work. Part of that balance is prioritising work where editors are waiting over just about everything else. Unfortunately, that means when something needs to get kicked down the road, it’s usually the newsletter. I’ve also cut back dramatically on social media for the same reasons, yet somehow it still feels like there are too few hours in the work day.
That said, I am going to be making a concerted effort to update this at least once a month because I know that some of your lives have been absolutely ruined without regular photo updates of Lasagna.
I’m scheduling my next update for April 13th, which is both my birthday and the day that a bucket list project is being announced.
Table of Contents
• New Book Announcement: SINS OF THE SALTON SEA!
• Returning to Conventions for 2023
• What’s Coming Up?
• Lasagna!
New Book Announcement:
SINS OF THE SALTON SEA
This one has been a long time coming. Looking back through my emails, I first pitch this project to Axel Alonso at AWA back in June of 2021, so by the time it’s finally out, it will have been in the works for 2 years. Time flies!
So what is the Sins of the Salton Sea? Well, it turns out this is the hardest damn book to talk about without spoiling what happens, each issue is built to pull the rug from under you, to make you realize that what you thought was happening is not what’s happening.
The official description is as follows:
Sins of the Salton Sea follows Wyatt, a professional thief living off the grid in the aftermath of a horrible tragedy, who is recruited by his brother to pull off one last job. Their target: an armored car traveling down a desolate stretch of California highway. But when it turns out that the armored car is carrying not gold bars but human cargo, Wyatt is plunged into the middle of a conflict between warring factions of a doomsday cult.
The Sons of the Salton Sea claim that it is their solemn duty to save the world by means of human sacrifice. Wyatt must decide if he will protect the boy who has come into his charge or be swayed by the cult's convincing claims that the end of the world is fast approaching.
Writing this book has been a real treat as crime and horror are very much my peanut butter and chocolate. It’s rare that I get to mix the two and so I’m thrilled when I do.
The book is illustrated by C.P. Smith, whose credits include Wolverine: Blood & Sorrow and The Resistance Universe: The Origins among others. His artwork is such a perfect match for the story we’re telling. It’s cinematic and big, but also able to deliver incredibly human, emotion packed moments. The loud and the quiet feel equally important — because they are. It’s been a real treat working with C.P. and I hope that this is just the first of many collaborations.
Having Tim Bradstreet covers is absolutely monumental to me. Punisher Max, for which Tim Bradstreet provided all of the covers, is one of my all-time favourite comic runs. So, to have him coming aboard our project is a real honour.
We’ve also got a killer variant cover from my past Old Man Logan collaborator, Mike Deodato Jr., with colours by Lee Loughridge.
And another Saul Bass inspired variant cover, designed by Chris Ferguson (he has several of these, one for each issue, and they are incredible).
You want to see some art? Sure you do!
If you’re looking for further details, you can check the following sites which have all covered it, with interviews and additional preview pages:
Comicbook: Supernatural Crime Thriller Sins of the Salton Sea Reveals New Preview (Exclusive)
BleedingCool: Ed Brisson's Sins Of The Salton Sea in AWA June 2023 Solicits
Comic Years: Sins of the Salton Sea and Everything You Can Expect in June
Horror Fuel: Sins of the Salton Sea is Summer’s Comic to Read
Multiversity Comics: The Rundown: March 20, 2023
First Comics News: AWA Studios’ Upcoming Series Sins of the Salton Sea is an Action-Packed Thriller with Psychological Horror Twist
Graphic Policy: AWA announces Sins of the Salton Sea from Ed Brisson and C.P. Smith
Horror Society: AWA Studios Announces New Crime Thriller Series from Ed Brisson, “Sins of the Salton Sea”
Major Spoilers: AWA Studios announces Sins of the Salton Sea
Order details for the book are as follows:
SINS OF THE SALTON SEA #1
Release Date: June 7
Final Order Cutoff (Diamond): May 15
Final Order Cutoff (Lunar): May 14
Diamond Order Code (Main Cover): APR231233
Diamond Order Code (Mike Deodato Variant): APR231234
Diamond Order Code (Noir Homage Variant): APR231235
Diamond Order Code (B&W 1:15 Incentive Variant): APR231236
Lunar Order Code (Main Cover): 0423AW237
Lunar Order Code (Mike Deodato Variant): 0423AW238
Lunar Order Code (Noir Homage Variant): 0423AW239
Lunar Order Code (B&W 1:15 Incentive Variant): 0423AW240
Returning to Conventions in 2023
Other than one or two shows, I’ve mostly stepped away from doing conventions since the start of the pandemic. As much as I enjoyed them, for obvious reasons, I was still cautious of flying and being in huge crowds.
But, with 2023, I’m dipping my toe back in. I’ve agreed to four shows so far and am in talks with a couple more. As always, I plan to attend NYCC, but will likely not be tabling, instead opting to do a couple/few signings.
Right now, I can only talk about two of the shows I’ll be at, since the others haven’t announced me just yet.
MONTREAL COMICCON
Montreal, Quebec
July 14-16, 2023
DRAGON CON
Atlanta, Georgia
August 31-September 4, 2023
Hopefully I’ll get to see some of you in person.
Just a reminder, since I get asked about it when I post about conventions: I do no charge for signatures and have no limits. BUT! If/when there is a line of people waiting, I do limit to 10 signatures, but everyone is welcome to get back in the line if they want more. It’s the fairest way to make sure everyone gets a chance to have items signed.
What’s Coming Up?
Okay, I feel like I’ve already taken up enough of your time, so just going to wrap up with a quick rundown of books I’ve written that will be hitting the stands in the next month:
APRIL 11th:
BATMAN INCORPORATED #7
(W) Ed Brisson (A) Michele Bandini (CA) John Timms
No one is safe as Professor Pyg continues his warpath across Gotham. Meanwhile, Ghost-Maker has the worst Gotham has to offer in his grasp and must decide whether to keep his promise to Bruce or end their reign of terror--for good. Can Batman Inc. find Pyg in time to save the city? Will Ghost-Maker fall back into his old ways? Guest-starring Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, and more of Gotham's finest. And as if that weren't enough--the road to Joker Inc. begins here!
APRIL 12th:
PREDATOR #2
(W) Ed Brisson (A) Netho Diaz (CA) Giuseppe Camuncoli
Theta crash-lands on a tundra planet, and her odds of surviving are looking slim! Her only hope is to trek through the wilds to the nearest outpost. But the cold isn't the only thing she has to worry about?as a Predator watches in the shadow, ready to strike!
APRIL 19th:
PREDATOR #1 - SECOND PRINTING
(W) Ed Brisson (A) Netho Diaz (CA) Bjorn Barends
PREDATOR #1 Sold Out almost immediately, so we’re coming back with a second printing of the first issue for those who might have missed it the first time around.
FEAR IS REBORN! On a planet far from Earth, eight strangers find themselves in a deadly game. But this time, the Predators aren't the only ones on the hunt. Someone has the Yautja in their sites - and they've been searching for this game preserve for a long time. Ed Brisson and Netho Diaz kicks off an explosive new series that will turn everything you thought you knew about Predators on its head!
Lasagna
I know the only reason any of you read this newsletter is to see photos of my handsome man. So, here you go. Enjoy Lasagna as he sits next to me while I’m working, making sure I’m not wasting my time on social media (while fully realising the irony of me posting his photo on social media — he’s got layers).
Okay, see you guys again on April 13th.
Best,
Ed Brisson
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Whole sins book looks amazing, mate. That Anatomy of a Murder cover vibe is A+
That is a very funny cat who warms my heart! Also, I'm really enjoying Batman Inc - any chance of a few lines about behind the scenes? :)